Azar Lawrence Experience

Azar Lawrence was a musical prodigy, lovingly tutored by his mother, who taught music and led their church choir. At age five, he played violin in the Los Angeles Junior Symphony, then viola, but his ears were turned to the saxophone at age thirteen. Lawrence spent his teen years immersed in jazz at the home of his best friend, none other than the late Reggie Golson, son of the great composer/arranger/saxophonist, Bennie Golson. From then on it was jazz, jazz, and more jazz!

Lawrence went on to record/write for luminaries such as Freddie Hubbard, Busta Rhymes, Roberta Flack, and Phyllis Hyman. His sensational collaborations of the period included writing and performing on Earth Wind & Fire’s highly acclaimed platinum album, Powerlight, and on Marvin Gaye’s Grammy award-winning, Hear My Dear. In the early 2000s, Lawrence surged back onto the jazz scene with his Azar Lawrence Experience band and continues to roar, electrifying audiences with outstanding original compositions inspired by his intense spiritual feelings, as well as songs from the Coltrane songbook.

Azar Lawrence Website
(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)